For the third time in five years, Fresno is searching for a police chief.

Paco Balderrama, chief since January 2021, resigned on June 25 after an affair with the wife of an officer under his command. That officer, Jordan Wamhoff, is also an elected member of the Madera County Board of Supervisors.

Balderrama’s official last day is July 25. He will be used only as a consultant until then won’t work from police headquarters.

The city named Deputy Chief Mindy Casto as interim police chief. She said she has yet to decide if she wants to apply for the permanent job.

Mayor Jerry Dyer and City Manager Georgeanne White are formulating how to move forward. Dyer said the search will be national.

“(White) and I are meeting with our personnel director next week to discuss the process. The only thing certain at this point is that we will be utilizing a search firm to do a national search for police chief. The process will be decided later,” Dyer told GV Wire.

What level the public will be involved has yet to be determined, Dyer said.

“Those discussions have not occurred yet. Please remember, the resignation occurred (Tuesday),” Dyer said.

Dyer expects the search to last up to five months.

“Definitely, the Fresno Police Officers Association will be involved. They are a key player in that. We’ll look at what community involvement we may need to have in terms of a panel. But we’ll put together a process similar to the one we had in the past. And, hopefully we get a similar outcome,” Dyer told CBS 47.

The city engaged in a search in 2019 to replace the retiring Dyer. He served 18 years as chief, and 40 in the Fresno Police Department, before starting his political career. He won his first term as mayor in 2020, and won re-election this past March.

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Search Firm Advice

The International Association of Chiefs of Police advocate for chiefs and improved policing practices. The group also consults on police chief searches.

GV Wire asked IACP about the climate for police chief searches. Andie Sodegren, IACP senior project coordinator, said that a chief’s tenure lasts shorter than many other equivalent positions in government.

“That trend continues and has been exacerbated not only by retirements, but by events within the profession over the past several years. The climate for searches varies depending on the policing environment and local pressures in any given community,” Sodegren said.

Several factors are in play to recruit quality candidates, Sodegren said.

“Traditional factors include salary and benefits packages. Important factors also include professional development opportunity, the freedom to make a difference as the police chief, and a supportive culture from both the community and city leadership,” Sodegren said.

Sodegren said it is important for a city to know what it is looking for.

“Additionally, what constitutes a strong candidate is going to depend on the needs of the community and the department. Understanding those needs and what the chief’s role is in meeting those needs, and being clear about it in the recruitment phase can aid communities in attracting strong candidates who have the technical skills, the experience, and the qualities they are looking for,” Sodegren said.

The 2019 and 2020 Searches

Teri Black and Company consulted in the 2019 search that did not find a permanent chief. The city promoted Andy Hall, deputy chief at the time, knowing he was nearing retirement and would be a short-termer.

A second search in 2020 found Balderrama, a deputy chief in Oklahoma City. Although under the direction of then-Mayor Lee Brand, Dyer — by then mayor-elect — participated in the selection.

In his CBS 47 interview, Dyer said he expects the 2024 search to be easier than 2020.

“We we were in the midst of COVID. We were dealing with the George Floyd incident. There weren’t a lot of people that wanted to leave their current employment to go to another agency. But now that much of that’s behind us, and I do believe we’re going to get a great deal of interest,” Dyer said.

Councilmembers Support Salazar

Several Fresno City Councilmembers weighed in on what is next for the chief search.

“We have some very strong candidates within the city. So folks like Mark Salazar and others who’ve been here for decades and have been the stewards and (have shown) the evidence of steady leadership and a calming voice could fill that role,” Councilmember Miguel Arias said on GV Wire’s “Unfiltered” on Tuesday, June 25.

In the 2019 and 2020 searches, Deputy Chief Salazar applied for the job but was not chosen. He also ran for Fresno County Sheriff in 2022, losing to John Zanoni.

Arias and Councilmember Mike Karbassi served on the 2020 hiring panel. Both recommended Salazar, but the job ultimately went to Balderrama.

Councilmember Luis Chavez recognized Salazar as a strong candidate.

“I think he brings a strong resume to the table. Given his work he’s done in disadvantaged communities … that felt that the police department was not there to help,” Chavez said on “Unfiltered.”

Karbassi, who advocated for a national search for the ongoing recruitment of the Fresno Unified School District superintendent, said hiring from within may be the proper route.

“Given this very sensitive time for the department, there are advantages to having someone who is internal and understands this community and has the trust of the rank and file,” Karbassi said on “Unfiltered.”

Arias Says Mayor Should Accept Widespread Input

Arias wants Dyer to consider others’ opinions.

“I hope that the mayor takes it upon himself to include the community and the council in the national search of the next chief,” Arias said.

Councilmember Garry Bredefeld supports a nationwide search, but said internal hires have worked in the past, like Dyer himself in 2001.

“We want the absolute best person to lead this already outstanding police department. However, we also have excellent candidates within the police department and their background and experience working in the city of Fresno should place them at the top of the list. There are several we all know who are already phenomenal leaders in the department,” Bredefeld said.

Salazar did not respond to GV Wire on whether he would apply this time.